Surface modification using TEMPO and its derivatives

This article provides an overview of the methods for surface modification based on the use of stable radicals: 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and its derivatives. Two approaches are discussed. The first relies on the immobilization of TEMPOmoieties on the surface of various materials including silicon wafers, silica particles, organic polymers as well as diverse nanomaterials. Applications of such materialswith spin labeled surface/interface, in (electro)catalysis, synthesis of novel hybrid nanostructures and nanocomposites aswell as in designing of organicmagnets and novel energy storage devices are also included in the discussion. The second approach utilizes TEMPO and its derivatives for the grafting of polymer chains and polymer brushes formation on flat and nanostructure surfaces via Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization (NMRP). The influence of such polymer modification on surface/interface physicochemical properties is also presented.